The Pulse of Entertainment: Jazz Pianist Mark Adams Releases ‘This is Neo-Soul' Album in Honor of the
Legacy of Roy Ayers; Single ‘Open Letter' Released From Roy Ayers Music Director Mark Adams is From His 18th Solo Album
by Dr. Eunice Moseley
(April 10, 2026) - "I was his music director," said Mark
Adams about working with the late Roy Ayers when I asked during our interview for
his new single "Open Letter" from his newest album "This is Neo-Soul" (DownJazz
Records) - which covers four Roy Ayers hits. "(The cover songs) Same vibe but I added a little update to make it danceable
to keep his legacy alive."
Adams, a pianist and arranger, was music director for the late Roy Ayers for 20 years
during his tours. Ayers tour band was called Ubiquity. Roy Ayers' notable hits include "Everybody Loves the Sunshine"
and "What You Won't Do For Love." Roy Ayers released 33 albums and six live albums in his lifetime. He garnered
the Lifetime Achievement Award and was considered the "godfather of Neo-Soul."
I asked Mark if there were any challenges
to being music director for a legend like Roy Ayers and he said, "Nothing really. I was...allowed...to be myself. If
he like it, he kept it in the show...and kept doing it. If he didn't like it, he said, ‘Don't do that!' He was not afraid
to try things."
I asked if Roy kept in the changes he made on stage when he recorded his albums and Adams said, "Maybe
in live recordings, but usually he had his own concept."
Mark Adams now has 18 solo albums under his belt, has a music publishing
company and an imprint called DownJazz Records. Mark's upcoming album offers 10 tracks, and the
original
tracks are co-written by Mark Adams and David Schwartz, who also produced the project. The album features assistance from
vocalists Kimberly Davis (Chic member) on "Open Letter," Jonathan Quash (Mark Adams' band), Miya Bass (Lion King
on Broadway), John Pressley (Roy Ayers' band) and a Gospel choir. Aside from CD and digital versions of the project, the album
will also be offered in colored vinyl (limited).
"I have a Gospel choir on his (Roy Ayers) ‘Don't Stop the Feeling' and made
‘Sweet Tears' faster," Mark explained to me when we were discussing the covers of Roy Ayers that he has on the
new "This is Neo-Soul" album. "I've never done a dance record...it's always been Smooth Jazz. This album is
all vocals too."
Mark Adams gathers 15 musicians for his "This is Neo-Soul" album that have credits that include
Chic, Lonnie Liston Smith, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Gloria Gaynor, Gil Scott Heron, Mary J. Blige and Chaka Khan. Those
musicians on the new project include Chris DeCarmine (Roy Ayers band) on drums; Dave Mullins (Gloria Gaynor) on sax; Monte
Croft (Gladys Knight) on vibraphone; Steve Kroon (Luther Vandross) on percussion; Kenyatta Beasley (Mary J. Blige) on trumpet;
Bill White (Lonnie Liston Smith) on guitar; John Smith (Williams Patterson) on guitar; Roy Bennett (Bernard Perdie) on bass;
Donald Nicks (Roy Ayers) on bass, and Emanuel "Chulo" Gatewood (Diana Reeves) on bass.
"It's mostly originals,"
Mark pointed out when I asked about how many Roy Ayers covers were included on the new "This is Neo-Soul" project.
"It has four covers. My music director, Chris (DeCarmine), has toured with me for four years and is instrumental in writing
the single (‘Open Letter'). I try new things (too) and I am glad I did."
I
commented on the positive feedback I am hearing about the album and Mark Adams said, "Yes! Knock on wood...it's doing
well! I expected it to do well." www.MarkAdamsJazz.com www.DownJazzRecords.com
SYNDICATED
COLUMNIST: Dr. Eunice Moseley has
an estimated weekly readership of over one million for her column The Pulse of Entertainment.
She is the publisher of the digital magazine www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com, which has an estimated 160,000 visitors a month. An entrepreneur, Dr. Moseley’s company, Freelance Associates, is
a business management/public relations strategic planning and consulting firm that is celebrating 32 years in 2025. Dr. Eunice
also serves as professor for the School of Business at Stanton University in Anaheim, California and serves as promotions
director (at-large)/journalist and business consultant for The Baltimore Times. Dr. Moseley founded the Uplifting
Minds II Foundation (www.UpliftingMinds.com) in 2023, a 501 C3 with a mission to empower the underserved through three major programs – One Stop Business Shop,
the ULMII Professional Conference and the ULMII Academy (business management and public relations). EVENTS:
"Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII), was launched by Dr. Eunice in 1999, to educate
aspiring artists/musicians about the business of entertainment – www.UpliftingMinds2.com. Next ULMII Entertainment Conferences for Baltimore on Saturday April 18, 2026, presented by Security
Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and for Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2026, presented
by The Pulse of Entertainment and the ULMII Foundation. The ULMII conferences are free with virtual access
via Zoom. ULMII entertainment conference offers a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase and International Talent Competition where the top three scored acts receive
the ULMII Best Act Award and over $20,000 valued in prizes/product/services and cash!
